Ram Cargo Van Leads in Class 1 Capabilities

September 7, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The Ram Cargo Van – or Ram C/V – features solid sliding doors and rear quarter windows and backlight privacy panels in place of sunscreen glass windows. However, buyers have the option of equipping their Ram C/V with several combinations of solid and glass panels, including a choice of solid or glass backlight.

The Ram Cargo Van also receives a structural flat aluminum rear load floor. Three flooring options are available, including one with a flat, uninterrupted, high-capacity surface. A second, optional deluxe load floor provides through-the-floor access to three exclusive storage bins (providing an additional 11.5 cu. ft. of cargo capacity) and load floor tie-downs. A third option is to delete the load floor to accommodate various vocational upfits.

“We spoke with commercial customers and dealers about what they needed in a small cargo van and quickly realized that Ram Truck already had a vehicle to work with,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC “The Ram C/V is a product molded from customer input on a successful and durable platform, offering best-in-class features in capability.”

With more than 25 years of minivan engineering behind it, and as the inventor of the first minivan-based cargo van, the Ram Commercial brand understands the versatility needs for both small and large businesses. Ram C/V utilizes the convenience features and city-friendly dimensions that have made Chrysler Group minivans segment leaders, while maximizing cargo, convenience and capability attributes.

Ram C/V offers small businesses many competitive advantages. Among them, Ram C/V provides a best-in-class 1,800-lb. payload and class exclusive towing capability, up to 3,600 pounds. With a 20-gallon fuel tank and 26 miles per gallon (mpg) highway, Ram C/V also delivers best-in-class driving range.

Ram Cargo Van is engineered to meet small business and commercial needs. A commercial-tuned ride and heavy-duty suspension offers maximum hauling capability. A heavy-duty radiator and heavy-duty transmission oil cooler help meet heavier powertrain demands. Ram C/V also is engineered with unique hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, front anti-sway bar and rear twist-beam axle with coil springs. Ram C/V has a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 8,750 pounds.

With standard electronic stability control (ESC), commercial load-tuned tire-pressure monitoring (TPM), four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system (ABS) and ideal command-of-the road seating, the Ram Cargo Van offers capability, comfort and convenience with great road manners.

Pentastar V-6 engine
At the heart of the 2014 Ram Cargo Van is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine (named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the past three years) mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. The Pentastar V-6 is a high-tech, high-performing engine with variable-valve timing (VVT) that hits the sweet spot between power and efficiency. It delivers best-in-class horsepower (283 hp) and torque (260 lb.-ft.) without sacrificing fuel economy.

The Ram C/V also features a new driver-selectable fuel economizer mode. Drivers can change the transaxle shift schedule with a flip of a switch to maximize their fuel economy.

In addition, a rear spoiler and reduced brake caliper and rear bearing drag all contribute to Ram Cargo Van’s class-leading aerodynamics and excellent fuel economy.

Interior
A modern, new one-piece instrument panel is more intuitive for the customer with impressive ergonomics and large gauges.

The 2014 Ram C/V also offers Uconnect Web allowing business owners to stay connected via the wireless Internet.

With up to 155.5 cubic feet of interior storage, Ram C/V leads the segment, and unlike other Class 1 competitors, provides ample space to haul 4x8 sheets of building materials. Cargo access is maximized via the Ram C/V’s front seats, rear liftgate and dual sliding doors.

The Ram C/V offers a side-curtain air bag delete to accommodate different interior configurations and a Mopar security grid mesh for rear windows to protect from internal glass breakage and intruders.

Exterior
The 2014 Ram Cargo Van exterior includes plenty of real estate on all four sides. This space allows for businesses to post signage and graphics, making the van a rolling billboard to help promote the owners, trade or vocation.

The Ram Cargo Van is distinguished by prominent Ram badges, front and rear.

Standard Equipment
The Ram Cargo Van features a monochromatic paint scheme with body-colored front and rear fascias. It also receives a special chrome C/V badge.

Standard features include covered 17-inch steel wheels, a 160-amp alternator, 20-gallon fuel tank, all-season extra-load capacity tires, 730-amp maintenance-free battery, commercial-duty suspension, engine oil cooler, quad halogen headlamps, power rack-and-pinion steering and fold-away power exterior mirrors with heating element.

Inside, Ram Cargo Van also features standard air conditioning with dual-zone temperature control, an instrument cluster with 120-mph speedometer and tachometer, outside temperature display, an overhead console, A-pillar passenger assist handle, 120-volt auxiliary power outlet, 12-volt front and rear DC power outlets, air filtering, audio jack input for mobile devices, automatic transmission with electronic range select, cloth low-back bucket seats, Ram interior accents, door courtesy lamps, driver and passenger-side sun visors with mirrors, dual glove boxes, front courtesy/map lamps, headlamp shut-off delay, cargo compartment observation mirror, a liftgate floodlamp, lower instrument panel storage bin, dual sliding doors with alert warning, power locks, power front windows, rear dome lamp, speed control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, tip start and variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Safety features include active head restraints, advanced multistage front air bags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, tire-pressure monitoring sensor, drivers side inflatable knee bolster air bag, electronic stability control, keyless entry with immobilizer and a tire pressure monitoring warning lamp.

The 2014 Ram Cargo Van is available in five paint colors: Billet Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Bright White Clear Coat, Redline 2 Coat Pearl and True Blue Pearl.

Ram Cargo Van options include an engine block heater, media center with 40 GB hard drive and 6.5-inch touchscreen display, audio jack input for mobile devices, available Garmin navigation system, ParkView backup camera, a Mopar cargo compartment floor mat, a Mopar full-width cargo divider, power eight-way driver’s seat with lumbar adjust, front and rear power windows, security alarm, SiriusXM Radio and Uconnect handsfree voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, rearview auto-dim mirror, rear window defroster, rear window wiper and washer and class exclusive rear air-conditioning system for small businesses that require a temperature controlled cargo area.

The 2014 Ram Cargo Van is built at the Chrysler Group Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant.